Truck trailer unloading device



July 15, 1941Q c. l. cRow TRUCK TRAILER UNLOADING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet l 5 shets-shet 2 yww Sme/who@ July 15, 1941. C. l. CROW TRUCK TRAILER UNLOADING DEVICE Filed July 25,- 1940 July l5, 1941. C, CROW 2,249,683

n lTRUCK TRAILER UNLOADING DEVICE I Filed July 23', 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet .'5

75 ad l if m W 9% Patented July 15, 1941 S Claims.

This invention relates to an unloading vdevice for unloading in a single operation a complete load from a vehicle.

An object of this invention is to provide a means whereby one person may easily and quick- 1y remove the load of a vehicle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device whereby a load may be removed from a vehicle without jar or strain to either the vehicle or the load.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of this kind which mayreadily be adapt'- ed to remove loads from vehicles of different kinds, that is, vehicles wherein the bodies or holsters are of different heights from the ground.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a device of this kind which may be of a portable nature so that it can readily be shifted to the desired location.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of this kind which will eliminate lost time now experienced in` unloading a vehicle.

A further object of this invention is to provide a` device of this kind which will handle long articles, such as lumber, logs, rails, pipes, beams or the like, one person being able in a very short space of time to remove the complete load asa unit irrespective of the total weight of the load.

Embodying the foregoing objects and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention conssts of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein are shown embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and mediiications may be resorted to which fall within the scopeof the invention as claimed.

In the drawings: Y

Figure 1 is a detail top plan partly broken away of a vehicle unloading device constructed according to an embodiment of this invention,`

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken through the device on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and showing diagrammatically the several positions of the vehicle in its movement through the device,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal section partly exploded taken through the center of the apparatus,

Figure 61 is a bottom plan of one of the removable vehicle elevating members, and

Figure 7 is a sectional, View taken on the line 'I-T of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral Iii designates generally a load supporting vframe structure which includesa pair of side frame members IiI and I2. The side frame members II and I2 are fixed toa plurality of parallel transversely Cil disposed. base beams I4, which are adapted to be securedpto the side members II and l2 in any suitable manner'. Triangular bracing members I3 are adapted to be secured to the extended end portions of the base vmembers It and also to the side frame members II and IZ. The side frame member I?. comprises a top rail I5, which is fixed to the upper ends of a plurality of uprights I6.

he. uprights I6 at their lower ends are fixed to the transverse beams li, The rail I5 has mounted on the upper surface thereof a pair of metal strips I'I and I8, which are disposed in spaced apart relation and preferably the metal strip Il is disposed adjacent the intake end of the frame structure and the strip I3' is disposed adjacent the outlet end of the frame structure. The metal strip II is held against endwise movement relativel to the rail I5 by means of a pair of pegs or fastening devices I9, which extend into the beam or rail I5. The metal strip I8 is substantially longer than the strip Il and is held against endwise'movement relative to the rail or beam I5 by means of a pair ofl pegs or bolts 2i).` Preferably is fixed to the upper ends of a plurality of up- 4 frights 2t., The uprights 24 at their lower ends kvertical shifting or raising of the strip 25 to admit ofV the insertion of a shim between the strip 25 and the rail 23, the shim being similar to the shim 2l. The rail 23` also has mounted on the upper side thereof an elongated rear metal strip 21, which is held against endwise movement by means of fastening devices 28; The metal strip 21 is permitted to have vertical movement relative to the rail 23 so as to admit of the insertion of the desired thickness of shim between the strip 21 and the rail 23 similar tothe shim 22.

A pair of track members, generally designated as 29 and 39, are mounted between the two side members II and I2, the track members 29 and 36 being secured to the base members I4. The track member 29 comprises a pair of elongated spaced apart parallel members 3I and 32, which are secured to the base members I4. The track member 30 comprises an inner elongated member 33 and an outer elongated member 34. The two members 33 and 34 comprise a single track and are fixed in any suitable manner to the horizontal base members I 4. Preferably the two track members 29 and 39 are of a suicient width to provide traction surfaces for a vehicle embodying the use of pairs of tires on each side thereof.

At the rear end of the frame structure there are disposed a pair of vertically offset track members 35 and 36, the track member 35 including Aa pair of spaced apart tracks 31 and 38 and the track 36 comprising tracks 39 and 46. The tracks 35Vr and 36 are of similar construction being disposed in the same horizontal plane, and each track 35 and 36 is supported in upwardly spaced relation to a lower level track 29 or 30 by means of track supporting members 4I and 42. The rear ends of lthe tracks 35 and 36 are disposed forwardly of the rear vertical edge of a supporting member 4I, as shown in Figure 2, so that a ramp structure 43 may rest on the ledge 44 formed by the forward offsetting of the track 35 relatively to the supporting member 4I. The upper surface of the track 35 is provided with a horizontal part 45, which merges at its forward end into a downwardly inclined surface 46. A supplemental track 41 is disposed on top of the track 29 or 36 and the rear end of the supplemental track 41 is formed with a block 4S, which is provided with a concave wheel engaging surface 49. The concave wheel engaging surface 49 merges at its rear upper end in the downwardly inclined flat surface 46. The supplemental track 41 is disposed in upwardly spaced relation to the upper surface of the track 29 or 38, being held in this position by means of interposed cleats or transversely disposed connecting members 56. The rear face of the block 48 is disposed in abutting relation to the forward side of the forward supporting member 42 and a rearward extension 5I is formed with the block 48 and engages over the upper surface of the forward portion of the block 42. The upper surface of the extension 5I is downwardly and forwardly inclined being disposed in alignment with the inclinedsurface 46.

A longitudinally shiftable or adjustable auxiliary ytrack structure 52 is disposed fprwardly of the block 48 and comprises a track structure 53 overlapping the forward portion of the su-pplemental track 41 and a second track member 54, which overlies a portion of the track 41 engaging over the track 38. The two track members 53 and 54 are tied together by means of a pair of tie-bars 55, which are xed to the two track members 53 and 54 in any suitable manner. The auxiliary track structure r53 includes a lengthwise adjustable pair of tracks 56, which are adapted to overlie the fo-rward portion of the supplemental track 41 and the two track members 56 have secured to the forward ends thereof a depending and downwardly extending block 51, which is formed on its forward side with a concave or arcuate wheel engaging surface 56. The block 51 at its rear end 59 may abut against the forward end of the supplemental track 41 and in order to provide a means whereby the track members 53 and 54 may be held in longitudinally adjusted position relative to the tracks 29 and 30, I have provided pegsI or dowels 69, which are secured to the block 51 and which are adapted to engage in selected sockets or recesses 6I which are formed in the tracks `29 and 36. A second pair of removable and auxiliary track members 62 are adapted to engage on the top of the track structure 52 and the track members 62 comprise a pair of tracks 63 and 64, which are secured together by means of a pair of cleats or connecting members 65 and 56.' 'Ihe first pair of auxiliary track members 52 are provided in their upper surfaces thereof with a pair of transverse channels or grooves 61 and 68 within which the cleats or tie members 65 and 66 respectively are adapted to engage. The auxiliary track members 56 at their rear ends are provided with an upwardly inclined surface 69, which merges into a horizontal upper surface 16. The horizontal or fiat upper sur-face 10 terminates in the concave forward surface 58 of the block 51. The.

second auxiliary track structure 62 is formed with an upwardly inclined rear portion 1I which merges into a horizontal upper surface 12. The horizontal upper surface 12 merges into a downwardly inclined forward surface 13 which also merges with a convex forward end 14 at the forward ends of the track members 63 and 64. The convex forward surface 14 is adapted to merge with the upper end of the concave surface 58.

A rear load supporting bar 15 is adapted to movably engage the metal strips I1 and 25, being of a length to extend between the two rails I5 and 25. The load supporting member 15, at one end thereof, is provided with a tapered end 16, and an eye 11 is adapted to be fixed to the reduced or tapered endV 16 so as to permit the load supporting member 15 to be engaged with a hook carried by a bar or the like in order that the load supporting member 15 may be pulled transversely across the two rails I5 and 23. When the load supporting member 15 is in inoperative position it is adapted to be moved transversely of the frame structure I9 into a housing 18. The housing 18 'is formed with an end thereof opening in the direction of the rail 23 and preferably a plurality of upper and lower rollers 19 and 89 are carried by the housing 18 so that the load supporting member 15 may be easily moved inwardly or outwardly with respect to the housing 18. An upwardly and outwardly inclined bracing member 8I is secured at its upper end to the housing 18 and at its lower end to a horizontal member 82, which extends between the rearmost pair of uprights 24. The load supporting member 15 is preferably round in transverse vsection being constructed in the form of a roller so that this load supporting member 15 may readily roll upon the upper surface of the metal strips I1 and 25.

A second load supporting bar 83 is disposed forwardly of the load supporting member 15 and is formed with a tapered end 84 at one end thereof and an eye or ring 85 is secured to the tapered end 84. The load supporting member 83 is adapted to slidably engage the metal strips I8 and 21 and when the load supporting member 83 is in inoperative position it is adapted to be moved transversely across the beams or rails I5 and 23 to be housed in a housing 86. The housing 86 is provided on the inner portion thereof with a plurality loi rollers 8i? similar to the Vrollers 19 and'l so that the load supporting ybar .ormember 83 vmaybe easilyfmoved into .or fout of :the :housing 86. .A khousing brace 68 is secured .at its -rupper end to the housing :8;'6 andaextends :downwardly and inwardly `:toward :the iside .member il, being secured to a horizontal cross fpiece :89, which is secured between a lp'air .of iuprights 24. ,Preferaloly, the load supporting `member t3 is `square in transverse section or'is at sleast'provided with a liat lower surfacefso that when the load .supporting :member 83 'is in :engagementwith the metal :strips '|18 and 2.7 the rictionbetween `:the load supportingmember '8.3 .andthe strip-s .liiSand 2?! will resist movement lof ithe .load supporting member 28.3 lengthwise of .the strips l;8..and:21.

In the .use and .operation of this unloading structure, the vehicle inthe form .of a trailer or truck is `.adapted to move through vthe Aframe structure "i ina :direction indicated .bythe arrows Sll. YThe dot and dash lines .9| .indicate the front bolster .carried by front '.Wheels 92. The load mounted on .the bolster 9| is indicated by the '.dot'and dash line A.93. A rear bolster 94 is connected in a conventional manner tothe front bolster `.lil and .is supported by wheels '.95. The load .line 9.3 extends from the front 'bolster 9'I to the' rear bolster `94. The load carried -by the truck :is :moved .forwardly vover the .ramp 43, the Eiront wheels 92 ridingr over 'the track structures35 and 35 and over the supplemental tracks 41 until the lfront wheels 'are disposed in substantially the position shown lin Figure l, wherein the wheels 492 are engaged with the inclined surface ST3 of .the track 62. .At .this time the :rear wheels 95 will `be engaged with .the at surfaces 45 :of .the vtracks 35 and 3.6. With the load line 93 in .the position shown in Figure 2, which is above :the rails "l5 and 23 and :the strips .11, .25, i8 and 42l., the rear roller or supporting bar '15 isadapted to be `pulled-across the rails Yand .23 to the .position shown in .full Ilines in Figure i2 in which position the .roller or .supporting member l5 is disposed forwardly of the vrear bolster 94. The at Aload supporting bar 83 .is then `pulled transversely .across the rails AI5 and 23 and is disposed closely `adjacent .the forward side of the front bolster 29.1. The load, which may be lumber or other elongated articles .may vthen be untied lfrom the holsters 19| .and 94 and then the truck may be moved forwardly. .As the truck moves forwardly from the dot -and dash .position of the bolsters .9| and'94, the Iiront wheels92 will ride downwardly and forwardly to .the dotted line position. In this .position the bolster .91a -will be disposed with .the upper edge thereof below the unloading line .95 shown by the dotted -line :in Figure l2. In this .position the load will rest entirely on the supporting bars 15 vand T83. The front wheel 92 will initially .start downwardly over the concave or -inclinedsuriaces before the rear wheels .95 move ydownwardly over 'the concave lowering surface 49. The vehicle may be continued forwardly and when the wheels 95 engage the downwardly inclined or concave surface 49 the weight of the load and the movement of the vehicle will tend to push the vehicle forwardly and also to push the load forwardly with the roller 15 rolling between the load and the upper surfaces of the metal strips I1 and 25. When the wheel 95 engages the supplemental track structure 4l the rear bolster 94 will be positioned below the load supporting bar 95 and at the same time the forward bolster 9| will be disposed in the position Sla, which is below the supporting 'member L83. At this time the .second auxiliarytrack members 62 lmay be removed from the first auxiliary trackstructure'Z being pulled inwardly so that they will rest onthe tie-bars 55, which also `constitute auxiliary Atrack supporting bars. rllhe v'distance between the `upper surface of the first auxiliary track 52 and the load line v96 will permit suiiicient clearance for the rear bolster 94 so that this bolster Vmay clear the forward load supporting rail or member :83.

In certain instances it is not necessary to use the second auxiliary -track structure 62, as the height of the first auxiliary track structure 52 is suiiicient to yprovide enough clearance between the rear bolster v94 and the load. The forward load supporting rail 8:3 :being in the dotted line position, shown Sin Figure 2, will not interfere with or `contact with .the `rear bolster-94 as this bolster is moved forwardly and then downwardly with the rear wheels riding downwardly over the inclined surfaces 58.

An unloading structure constructed according to this invention ywill provide a device :whereby va single `person,=such as the truck driver, :may within a very .short space of time, such as three to ve minutes, remove a `full vload of lumber or other elongated articles which are mounted on the bolsters of .a truck trailer. By removing the load in la. quick manner the truck may .be used a greater number of times Within one Vday than is at :present .the `case where it is necessary for the truck driver to wait at Athe point of discharge until the total load`has `been removed, -in certain instances, piece by piece. This latter procedure consumes from one to two or three hours, whereas the apparatus hereinbefore described will permit removal of the .load by the driver of the truck in aspace of time not over five minutes, and in many instances within two or three minutes. It will, of course, be understood that when the load is resting -on the load ysupporting members 'l5 and '83, the lload must be removed from these Asupporting members by well-known means, but during the time that the load -is being removed from the supporting members 15 and 83, the truck may return to the 4point of receiving the load and obtain a second load through the medium of a loading structure forming the basis of a co-pending application Serial No. 347,069 filed 'of even date herewith. The only loss of time of the truckand thedriver `with vthe use of this device andalso the loading device will be in the travel of the truck from the point of receipt to the point of discharge.

This unloading structure maybe made from' lumber or, if desired, the base track structure may be made out of metal, concrete or the .like with the auxiliary track structure made out of any suitable material. A device has been constructed according `to this invention and :placed vin actual operation and has vbeen found to expedite the 'unloading oi a complete load of a trailer or truck. if desired, Sthe device may be shifted from one location to another. It will be .understood that under certainconditions the frame structure lait be provided with .rollers erw-heels so that it may be readily shifted from one point to another and in addition it will be understood that, if desired, the rails l5 and 23 may be cut-off between the metal strips so that the entire structure will be formed of two frame sections, which are spaced apart the desired distance and only connected together by the track structure hereinbefore described.

What I claim is:

1. An unloading device comprising a load supportingV frame structure having a horizontal upper portion, a pair of tracks within said frame structure, each of said tracks including a pair of spaced apart wheel engaging surfaces and a second pair of removable wheel engaging surfaces having a lower level than and spaced from said rst surfaces, means to permit for longitudinally adjusting the position of the said second pair of wheel engaging surfaces relative to said first pair of wheel engaging surfaces, and a pair of load supporting members engageable beneath the load and with said horizontal upper portion to thereby support the load when the vehicle wheels are disposed on said lower level track surfaces.

2. An unloading device comprising a load supporting frame having a horizontal upper portion, a pair of tracks within said frame structure including spaced pairs of vertically offset wheel engaging surfaces, means to permit for longitudinally adjusting the position of one of the pairs of Wheel engaging surfaces relative to another pair of said surfaces, one of said pairs of wheel engaging surfaces being removable, and a pair of load supporting membersengageable beneath the load and shiftable lengthwise of said frame structure with the movement of the load and vehicle relative to said frame structure, the vehicle shifting downwardly from one pair of said offset surfaces to another pair of said offset surfaces to thereby effect transfer of the load from the vehicle to said load supporting members.

3. A vehicle unloading device comprising a load supporting device comprising a load supporting frame including a pair of vertical side frame members, each side member comprising a horizontal upper rail and upright rail supporting posts, transverse base members secured to said posts, and a pair of tracks between said side frame members eachY track being formed of a pair o f rear vertically offset track sections, and a pair of removable track sections forwardly of said rear sections and means correlating with said track sections engageable with the load and with said upp-er rails to remove the load upon movement of the vehicle between said side frame members.

4. A vehicle unloading device comprising a load supporting frame, load supporting members engageable with the upper edge of said frame and movable thereover during the transfer of the load from the vehicle to said members, one of said members being round in transverse section and the other of said members having a flat frame engaging surface, and a track structure in said frame formed of pairs of vertically offset track sections adapted to lower the vehicle relative to said members to thereby effect transfer of the load from the vehicle to said members.

5. A vehicle unloading device comprising a load supporting frame, load supporting members engageable with the upper edge of said frame and movable thereover during the transfer of the load from the vehicle to said members, one of said members being round in transverse section and the other of said members having a fiat frame engaging surface, and a track structure in said frame formed of pairs of vertically offset track sections adapted to lower the vehicle relative to said members to thereby effect transfer of the load from the vehicle to said members, one pair of said offset track sections being so positioned with respect to another pair of track sections as to at least partially lower one portion of the vehicle prior to the lowering of the vehicle by said other pair of track sections.

6. A vehicle unloading device comprising a load supporting frame, load supporting members engageable with the upper edge of said frame and movable thereover during the transfer of the load from the vehicle to said members, one of said members being round in transverse section and the other of said members having a flat frame engaging surface, and a track structure in said frame formed of pairs of vertically offset track sections adapted to lower the vehicle relative to said members to thereby effect transfer of the load from the vehicle to said members, one pair of said offset track sections being so positioned with respect to another pair of track sections as to at least partially effect transfer of the load to said other member prior to the complete transfer of the load to both of said members.

7. A vehicle unloading device comprising a load supporting frame structure including a horizontal load carrying upper portion, a pair of load supporting members engageable beneath the load and with said load carrying portion, and a pair of tracks within said frame structure, said tracks comprising a pair of track sections adjacent one end of the frame structure, a second pair of track sections disposed intermediate the ends of said frame structure and having the upper surfaces thereof in a horizontal plane below the horizontal plane of said rst pair of track sections, a third pair of track sections between said rst and second pair of track sections and having the upper surafces thereof below the horizontal plane of said second pair of track sections, and a fourth pair of track sections disposed between said second pair of track sections and theopposite end of the frame structure, Vsaid fourth pair of track sections being disposed below the horizontal plane of said second track section.

3. A vehicle unloading device for removing a load from a forwardly moving vehicle which includes a pair of horizontal load supporting members between which the loaded vehicle is adapted to move, means holding the load in a horizontal plane during the movement of the vehicle and load between said members, and means imparting a downward shifting of the vehicle away from the load while the load is held in a horizontal plane and while the vehicle is moving forwardly, said latter means including means engageable by the forward wheels of the vehicle and removable after the forward wheels have passed thereover for positioning the rear portion of the unloaded vehicle below the load to thereby admit free movement of the unloaded vehicle beneath the load.

COY I. CROW. 

